COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF GRAIN-GROWTH

A variety of computer simulation techniques have been developed to des cribe grain growth in polycrystalline materials and the evolution of c ellular patterns in other systems. Most techniques have now been devel oped to the degree that they can be used to analyze idealized microstr uctural evolution processes, and, in some cases, answer questions whic h arise from experimental observations or engineering goals. The devel opment of crystallographic texture, the effect of dispersions of secon d phase particles, and the nature of grain structure evolution in ther mally inhomogeneous environments have also attracted considerable inte rest.